Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2002

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's exposure to loud noises during service is at least as likely as not related to his current conditions.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain, effective from the date of the August 2001 examination. The veteran is also awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's iritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it was incurred during active duty due to acoustic trauma from artillery and gunfire exposure.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim for service connection for tinnitus, which will now be considered on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hepatitis C, and a skin rash as there is no evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to noise exposure during service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus began during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, but the effective date is being determined based on new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss of the left ear was denied.,The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral tinnitus was also denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his active service. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis of the right mandible and jaw pain. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and service.,Service medical records showed treatment for cellulitis of the right mandible during service but no residuals were noted at separation. Post-service private and VA records do not document any current disabilities related to cellulitis or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current hearing loss disability in either ear and his tinnitus is not related to service exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically due to acoustic trauma experienced during active duty. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of tinnitus during or after service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including sinusitis, sinus headaches, tinnitus, chronic otitis media, nasal deformity, and bilateral hearing loss, were not shown by a preponderance of the competent medical evidence to be linked to service, including as due to head trauma sustained in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, except for the grant of a 10 percent rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot effective October 29, 1945. The other conditions and issues remain at their current levels.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and anxiety reaction with depressive and hypochondriacal features, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.